Jack was worried about Ianto. Just moments ago Ianto had wanted to return to The Hub. Had been chewing him out about everything they were leaving behind. Jack went up behind Ianto and wrapped his arms around his waist. "What about The Hub and Gwen and Tosh and Owen. What about protecting the world?" He asked softly. He knew if he didn't keep trying to remember what was real he'd give in as well. Though for right now he is very tempted to stay here. He nibbled Ianto's neck softly. He knew he could be happy here, he'd be with Ianto. They'd be safe, Ianto would be safe. But that wouldn't be fair to the others. He did wonder what sort of book he was writing. bloodstainedwings:

"Jack?" Ianto shook his head there were so many memories floating back and forth. He didnt know what was real anymore.. "Whats going on Jack? Why do I know those names? Their faces come to my mind when you said them, but I cannot recall anything about them.. who are they?" Ianto shakes his head again and raises his hand to his head. " The Hub, the Rift... Jack..." Ianto pleaded at the end before passing out. He fell limp in Jack's arms, unable to cope with the memories.

Jack caught Ianto as he fell. He needed to get them home. Though there was a part of him that wanted to give into the memories that weren't real. He squeezed his eyes shut fighting back tears. Rosco whined a bit worried for his masters. "It's alright boy." He said softly. Concentrating on Ianto apartment this world of his mine started to fall away. He should have done this right away. If Ianto was hurt he would never forgive himself. Soon the two of them were back in Ianto's apartment the food and beer on the table still cold. He carried Ianto to the couch and laid him down. He kissed his forehead before going to clean up the kitchen. Tears slid down his cheeks. He knew he had done the right thing but it still wasn't fair. He had wanted that life with Ianto, even though he knew it wasn't really real. He sat at the kitchen table when he had gotten the food put away to drink his beer. He wouldn't take the alien artifact back to the hub until he was sure Ianto was alright. bloodstainedwings:

Iantos head filled with visions of unbelievable sights. Creatures that he could not explain even if he tried, aliens perhaps? Yes, he thought, Aliens... they came from the rift. Visions of the Hub flew by in whirls. Memories of a fantastic wild life of running and fighting to stay alive every moment and it all being worth it to experience such wonders that reverberated in his soul. Such wonders that he just knew were real but didnt quite fit in his definition of reality. Him saving the whole world on a regular basis? really? But then, suddenly, he recalls the Cybermen. Them, turning humans into cyborgs to take over the earth. They almost succeed if not for their efforts. But there was something special about them. The visions blurred by in a wirlwind and seemed to be repeating the same kind of images over and over. A wonderfully beautiful lady with ebony skin as soft as silk and eyes that were pools that he could drown in.

"Lisa!" he whispers as he awakes in a fit. He was on his couch, in his living room that he knew was not his living room. Jack was in the kitchen drinking beer. Jack turns as Ianto sits up.

"Jack, I dont know whats real any more. Are we lovers who have been married and live with a dog named Rosco? Or are we rescuers of the world that is constantly on the brink of disaster?" The visions blurr by again and Ianto is forced to hunch over and hold his head to stay in control. " Jack, whats going on? I dont know who I am anymore." He whispers as tears roll down his face.

Jack put his beer down and stood going to sit next to Ianto. He put his arms around the Welsh man. "We save the world. We a part of Torchwood. You keep me and the rest of the team on schedule, well as much as possible. You make the best coffee I have ever and I am honored to call you a dear friend. You are everything I inspire to be Jones, Ianto Jones." He just held him close kissing the side of his head. And I love you with all my heart. He thinks to himself still holding the younger man. bloodstainedwings:

Ianto felt the comfort of Jack and remembered their life together here. How happy they were and the plans they had. But Jacks words struck him deep. He had these same memories about Torchwood. He couldnt just let them go.

"Jack, are we in another dimension that is affecting our minds somehow?" Ianto tried to reason out after a few minutes. He desperately tried to regain any semblance of order and struggled to keep himself logical and sane.

(um... he had taken them back to Ianto's apartment in their own reality. at least i think i had done that) bloodstainedwings:

Ianto was so lost he wasnt sure where he was. He felt like they were in his apartment, but he didnt know if Rosco should be there or not. His memories swirled around him, confusing his vision. He felt like he could trust his eyes or his mind. He trusted his heart and his heart knew that he loved the man holding him and comforting him. In all his worlds, realities and imaginations, this man, Jack, was there, holding him.

Jack was his anchor back to reality. Slowly but surely, Ianto came to grips with what had transpired, but still, he wondered.
"Jack, are we back? "

(i wasnt sure what you meant, so i just kinda rolled with it as best i could)

(no worries I should have been more clear.)

"Yes we're back." Jack said still holding Ianto close. He hadn't wanted to come back but he knew the longer he waited the harder it would have been on Ianto. "We're back where we belong." He stood and got Ianto a glass of water. "Here you go." He sat back down after Ianto took the water. "That little device grabbed on to my deep desire and sent us to a reality that reflected that desire." He said not sure what else to say. bloodstainedwings:

bloodstainedwings: Do you need me to add more?

Kirin Rosenbaum:

oh sorry. i thought because we were back and jack had nothing else to say, that it was over...like an episode of torchwood, this one is done. their back and all is well again. i can write something more to really finish it off that includes tosh and the gang if you want. or were you looking to continue even though now were back the the torchwood timeline?

bloodstainedwings: Well I was thinking we could have Jack and Ianto's relationship. And deal with all that. But that's up to you.

Kirin Rosenbaum: well at the very least i can make one more post.


Ianto lifted his head and finally started to put his memories right. He smiled as he saw Jack in front of him and realized his dream. "I am sorry i ruined your dream Jack. But thank you so much for sharing it with me. It was very pleasent while it lasted... well.. before i started losing myself" he smiled and looked around again. It seems that only a few hours had gone by. It surprised him that while they were "within the stone world" days had gone by, but here only a few hours. He thought tosh would be fascinated by that... but then... he didnt want to share this with the team. It was their special memory and Ianto hoped to never lose it.